Utilization of expert consultants by poison centers in the United States

A survey was mailed to 103 poison centers in the US during March 1990 to characterize the use of outside experts for patient-specific problems; 69 centers responded. Outside experts were utilized by 64 centers (93%) with contact being made < 3 times monthly by 58% of the respondents. There were 84 different types of experts utilized with near equal distribution of medical and non-medical specialties. A minority (18%) of the centers had organized a committee of experts and only 7% of the centers compensate outside experts. There was no association between the utilization of experts and characteristics of a poison center, such as receipt of state funding, funding level or certification. With the variety of practices in utilizing experts, poison centers may wish to review their approaches to the use of outside consultants.